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How Do Students Become Good Workers? Investigating the Impact of Gender and School on the Relationship between Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Career Exploration

Author

Listed:
  • Shi Chen

    (School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China)

  • Huaruo Chen

    (School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
    Center for Research and Reform in Education, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MA 21286, USA)

  • Hairong Ling

    (School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China)

  • Xueying Gu

    (School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China)

Abstract

In the field of vocational psychology, career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) and career exploration (CE) are considered the crucial factors for developing a sustainable career. This study investigated the relationship between CDMSE and CE among Chinese high-school students, as well as the moderating effects of gender and school. From 2019 to 2021, 24,273 students from 13 different high schools were recruited in the study (male = 15,050, female = 9223; urban schools = 12,327, rural schools = 11,946). The results showed that (i) male students scored significantly higher than female students in both CDMSE and CE, (ii) students from urban schools scored significantly higher than students from rural schools in both CDMSE and CE, (iii) CDMSE positively predicted CE, and (iv) school moderated the relationship between CDMSE and CE, with the effect of CDMSE on CE stronger among rural school students; a moderating effect of gender was not found. These findings indicate that promoting CDMSE can lead high-school students, especially rural school students, to engage more in CE to ensure sustainable career development under the protean and boundaryless career orientation.

Suggested Citation

  • Shi Chen & Huaruo Chen & Hairong Ling & Xueying Gu, 2021. "How Do Students Become Good Workers? Investigating the Impact of Gender and School on the Relationship between Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Career Exploration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:7876-:d:594287
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ataullah Kiani & Jingjiang Liu & Usman Ghani & Anastasia Popelnukha, 2020. "Impact of Future Time Perspective on Entrepreneurial Career Intention for Individual Sustainable Career Development: The Roles of Learning Orientation and Entrepreneurial Passion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Annamaria Di Fabio & Akira Tsuda, 2018. "The Psychology of Harmony and Harmonization: Advancing the Perspectives for the Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Lu Xin & Fangcheng Tang & Mengyi Li & Wenxia Zhou, 2020. "From School to Work: Improving Graduates’ Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Yuan Li & Xiyuan Li & Qingmin Chen & Ying Xue, 2020. "Sustainable Career Development of Newly Hired Executives—A Dynamic Process Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, April.
    5. repec:aen:journl:ej37-si1-introduction is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Beatrice I.J.M. Van der Heijden & Ans De Vos, 2015. "Sustainable careers: introductory chapter," Chapters, in: Handbook of Research on Sustainable Careers, chapter 1, pages 1-19, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sanghee Lee & Jaeeun Jung & Sungeun Baek & Songyi Lee, 2022. "The Relationship between Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy, Career Preparation Behaviour and Career Decision Difficulties among South Korean College Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Xin-Hai Wang & Hsuan-Po Wang & Laiv WenYa, 2023. "Improving the Quality of Career Decision-making of Students in Chinese Higher Vocational Colleges," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, June.
    3. Shi Chen & Yan Xue & Huaruo Chen & Hairong Ling & Jiajing Wu & Xueying Gu, 2021. "Making a Commitment to Your Future: Investigating the Effect of Career Exploration and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy on the Relationship between Career Concern and Career Commitment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    4. Chung-Jen Wang, 2021. "Should I Stay or Should I Go? Linking Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy to Intention to Stay in the Hospitality Industry Based on Internship Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Hanan Eid Badwy & Sikandar Ali Qalati & Mohamed Fawzy El-Bardan, 2025. "Unlocking happiness: how crafting your career path boosts life satisfaction through forward thinking and self-confidence in career choices," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.

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